CBTnuggets MPLS fundementals [2014, ENG]

Videos in course:
Total Course Duration: 05:29:21

Welcome to MPLS Fundamentals 00:04:06
This video introduces the outline for the course and a few tips that will assist you in getting the most out of the training, including Nuggetlab files and some prerequisites.

The Big Picture 00:10:33
It is important to have a good understanding of WHY we would use a technology before diving into the bits and pieces of how to make it all work. In this Nugget, Keith introduces the Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) application called Layer 3 Virtual Private Networks (MPLS L3VPNs), and why it's a great example of why we love to use MPLS solutions.

Label-Based Forwarding 00:22:02
MPLS is teaching an old dog a new trick, specifically for a router to forward packets based on a new label, instead of looking at the layer 3 IP header. In this Nugget, Keith shares how the forwarding process works, along with some information on what is in a label and where it is injected in a protocol stack. Packet capture files demonstrated in this video are available as part of the NuggetLab files for this video. To learn more about using the Wireshark protocol analyzer, please watch Keith's WireShark course here at CBT Nuggets.

Implementing MPLS 00:28:50
In this Nugget, join Keith and add the commands to an IPv4 network to create an MPLS enabled IPv4 network. An overview of using GNS3 to build your own practice network is provided along with a strong encouragement to practice, practice and practice what you see in the video. NuggetLab files include the base configurations for Loopback and Gigabit interfaces as well as routing protocols. The NuggetLab files also include the commands demonstrated in this video that enable MPLS on routers and their interfaces.

LDP 00:32:20
Label Distribution Protocol is the method that two LSRs (Label Switch Routers) use to discover and negotiate an LDP neighborship to share LDP mapping information. In this Nugget, Keith and you investigate the details that occur during an LDP discovery and session setup. Problems that may prevent and LDP session from forming also are discussed and demonstrated.

LSP Path Selection 00:19:44
Too many choices can lead to indecision, so what does an LSR (Label Switching Router) do when it receives multiple label advertisements from different routers for remote network? The answer is contained in this Nugget. The packet capture demonstrated in this video is available in the NuggetLab files.

LIBs, FIBs and RIBs 00:17:11
There are several tables that a Label Switching Router (LSR) will maintain. This Nugget addresses the Routing Information Base (RIB), Forwarding Information Base (FIB), Label Information Base (LIB), and Label Forwarding Information Base (LFIB). CEF's role also is discussed regarding these tables.

Transport Address 00:17:57
Using the tune from Mr. Rogers . . ."Won't you please, won't you be, my neighbor?" If the transport address is not reachable, the answer to the question is "NO." In this Nugget, Keith shows you the relationship between the LDP router ID and the transport address that is advertised in hellos, as well as how to change both of them. Packet captures collected in this video are available in the NuggetLab area.

MPLS L3VPN Architecture 00:21:00
There are several moving parts that go into MPLS L3VPNs. This Nugget compares traditional virtual networks to MPLS virtual networks using L3VPNs as an example.

PE to PE MBGP 00:19:21
Multi-protocol Border Gateway Protocol (MBGP) allows the advertisement of multiple types of routes, including VPNv4 routes. In this Nugget, you join Keith as an internal BGP neighborship is configured between PE-1 and PE-5, including support for the VPNv4 routes required for MPLS L3VPNs.

VRFs 00:31:29
In this Nugget, Keith shares the ingredients for a Virtual Routing and Forwarding instance, which includes a Route Distinguisher (RD), Route Targets (RTs), and interfaces that will be allocated to the VRF. The commands used and VRF details table are in the NuggetLab area.

CE to PE Routing 00:20:28
This Nugget discusses and demonstrates using OSPF, EIGRP, RIP, and BGP to dynamically share routes between the Customer Edge (CE) and Provider Edge(PE) routers. The commands and topology diagram used in this video are available as part of the NuggetLab files for the course.

Redistribution 00:32:56
When using an IGP to exchange routes between a VRF on a PE and the CE router, there is no automatic redistribution (import/export) between the IGP and BGP. In this Nugget, Keith walks you through how to manually configure the bidirectional (also sometimes called mutual) redistribution on the PE routers. The configuration and show commands used in this video are available as part of the NuggetLab files for this course.

Control and Data Plane Verification 00:32:22
In this Nugget, Keith walks you through the steps to verify the Control and Data planes for MPLS L3VPNs, including identifying the VPN and Transit labels that are used in a packet simultaneously when forwarding over the core of the provider network. Packet captures collected in this video can be found in the NuggetLab area.

VRF Enabled Utilities 00:19:02
Using everyday tools like Ping and Traceroute can be a bit challenging with VRFs on a PE unless we know the correct syntax to use. In this video Keith explains and demonstrates how to add VRF specifics to those commands for success at the CLI. Supporting files, including the full final configs of all 9 routers used in this course, are included in the Nuggetlab files.